2025-04-30-annual-report - Ballykeel Pentecostal Church

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF BALLYKEEL PENTECOSTAL CHURCH CCNI No. 102780 Submitted 10/09/2025 Covering the Financial Year from 1/5/2024 to 30/4/2025

Based at: Ballykeel Pentecostal Church 79 Shetland Gardens Ballymena, County Antrim BT42 4ER

Constitution

Ballykeel Pentecostal Church is a charity constituted by a Governing Document accepted by the Church members and last amended on 18/04/2008. This document sets out the aims and purposes of the charity and all matters regarding its constitution and use of funds. A copy of said document can be viewed by application to and the approval of the Trustees of Ballykeel Pentecostal Church.

The Church is governed by an Assembly Council comprising the Minister(s) for the time being together with the duly appointed Leaders of the Assembly whose names and addresses shall be entered in the Assembly records. The minimum number on the Assembly Council shall be three.

The Assembly Council may deal with and may make and amend regulations to deal with the appointment of Ministers, Elders, Deacons or others to oversee, serve and work in and for the Assembly whether on a paid or unpaid basis.

Current Trustees

Thomas Todd Irene Todd Kenneth Wilson

All of the Trustees are part of the current Assembly Council.

Aims, Purposes and Beneficiaries

The following aims and purposes as outlined in the Governing Document of Ballykeel Pentecostal Church fall within the necessary public benefit requirements for acceptance as a Charity by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

(a) The advancement of the Christian Religion by the proclamation and furtherance of the Gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus the Lord and the preaching and teaching of the Word of God under the auspices of the Assembly in accordance with the Statement of Truths of Ballykeel Pentecostal Church as stated in Appendix A of this constitution.
(b) Such other charitable purposes as shall further the attainment of the above objects of the Assembly or any of them.
(c) The furtherance of the work of Ballykeel Pentecostal Church, the promotion of the spiritual teaching and the maintenance of the statement of truths of Ballykeel Pentecostal Church, the promotion of religious observances which manifest and set forth the Statement of Truths of Ballykeel Pentecostal Church.

The beneficiaries of such aims are persons of all ages without regard to gender, race or religious persuasion.

Statement of Regard to Public Benefit

With regard to spending of funds and the carrying out of the activities detailed in this report the Trustees continue to have regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s Public Benefit Statutory Guidance. Since the main aim of the charity is the furtherance of the Christian religion all financial spending and activities have been made and will continue to be made with that aim in mind.

Current Financial Situation.

The Church annual accounts were prepared and examined by JJC Accounting, 80 Broughshane Street, Ballymena, BT43 6ED and Company. This is now the fifth year that this company has prepared the assembly’s accounts.

For the year ending 30/04/2025 Ballykeel Pentecostal Church had an income of £40,660, a decrease on the previous financial year just under £2000. Expenditure during the year amounted to £42, 001.21. There was, therefore, a yearly overspend of of £1, 341.21. Taking into account the £4,731.06. in funds carried over from the previous year and moneys in petty cash the current balance as at 30/4/2025 is £3,389.85.

The Assembly continues to remain in credit but it is recognised that overspends each year will eat into the surplus and need to be avoided as much as possible.

Sources of Income

The main sources of income continues to be the voluntary contributions from Church members and the Trustees would like to express their thanks to all those who provide such contributions. Gift Aid contributions from HMRC has also been helpful to the financial situation.

The use of the facilities by other groups has brought in £825, a decrease of around £200 on the previous year. Thus difference is primarily down to a decision to not allow the hall to be used any more for birthday parties. And the re-carpeting of the hall which meant it was unavailable for a few weeks.

Other Assets and Liabilities

The Church owns its own buildings and its surrounding land and has no further mortgage payments on these. The Church has no financial liabilities.

The current value of the buildings and surrounding land is unknown.

Buildings and Contents are properly insured with Kingdom bank.

How Finances were Spent

With regard to spending the Trustees continue to have regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s Public Benefit requirements. Since the main aim of the charity is the furtherance of the Christian religion all financial spending has been made and will continue to be made with that aim in mind.

The greatest financial output for the Church continues to be the minister’s expenses for Pastor Todd whose contributions to the running of the Church are necessary and appreciated. Through his services the Church is able to promote the Christian religion in the local community as well as providing Christian teaching to the church members.

The maintenance of the building, heating, lighting, telephone and water charges continue to be significant ongoing financial requirements. The re-carpetting was at a cost of £4.875, but it was considered necessary for both safety and hygiene reasons.

Some of the windows have sustained damage from storms and the church sign at the gate was also destroyed during a storm. It is envisaged that with careful budgeting in the next year some of the rotten wooden window frames will be able to be replaced with PVC frames. The replacement of the church sign at the gate is not considered a priority but will be looked at when there are sufficient funds.

Insurance costs for the buildings are also significant but cannot be avoided. The current insurance rate is the best that is known to be available.

Church will continue, as far as is reasonably possible within the financial constraints, to provide financial support to such organisations as Release International, Reach and Teach Ministries, Goshen Ministries in Kenya and New Hope for Children in Colombia, all of which provide practical Christian aid to others in foreign lands and have a similar aim and purpose to Ballykeel Pentecostal Church.

Details of Funds that are materially in Deficit

There are no funds that are materially in deficit.

Activities of the church

The primary purpose of the Church remains the advancement of the Christian religion. This continues to be fulfilled through the regular running of Sunday and mid-week services as well as Sunday school and a youth programme. A monthly Ladies Meeting is also held and this year there was also a weekend Ladies Conference. All such activities involve teaching from God’s Word and promotion of a faith in Jesus Christ. They cover persons of every age from 3 years old upwards.

The Church also runs a weekly meeting for special needs adults. An annual Children’s Week took place in August 2024 and the assembly has now taken over the running of the Parents and Toddlers group as the community group had to relinquish their involvement in it.

The premises have still been used by the local community association but due to circumstances within the community association the number of events held in this financial period was considerably reduced for a time.

In order to further promote the Christian religion the Church engages in a number of activities within and involving the local community in order to demonstrate Christian love and faith in action. These include the provision of premises for such events as marriages, funerals and community activities. All these activities help display Christian love and advance people’s appreciation of the Christian religion.

As mentioned above the Church also gives financial support to a number of other Christian organisations which are involved in providing education, financial aid and justice to the impoverished or persecuted.

Mitigation of any Possible Harm

The work of the church brings it into contact with those who may be regarded as vulnerable adults and with children.

As a result and in order to protect these individuals the church continues to ensure that anyone working with them is vetted by AccessNI with regard to suitability and that suitable training is provided in Child Protection. The Church has Child Protection, Working wuth Vulnerable Adults and Risk Assessment Policies

Reasonable health and safety policies are adhered to in order to reduce the risk of accident and suitable Public Liability Insurance is in place. A First Aid kit is kept stocked on the premises and there are a number of persons trained in first aid available should accidents occur.

Otherwise it is not considered that any harm would come to a beneficiary through the activities of the church.

Private Benefit Arising from the Activities of the Church

No trustee benefits from any of the activities of the church except for Pastor Thomas Todd who is contracted by the church for the provision of teaching, guidance. leadership and supervision to the church on a continuous basis.

It is considered necessary by the Trustees that the services of Pastor Todd be retained in order that the church be able to carry out its activities efficiently and effectively.

Plans for the Future

Work continues to increase the numbers attending Sunday School and Youth. There has been some success in this area, especially with Sunday School. We continue also work towards setting up stronger teams in these areas. The current activities will be maintained and hopefully expanded.

An emphasis will be put on evangelism, outreach and the provision of Christian teaching in the next financial year.

The assembly will continue to work with the local community group and to aid Timeless Theological Academy in the provision of affordable quality Bible teaching.

The assembly is also reaching out with free teaching material to various local and international Christian groups. It is hoped to expand this service in the incoming year.

As already mentioned It is intended to replace some ageing windows as and when finances are available to do so.

Chairman Signature Trustee/Assembly Council Signature